LECOM took another innovative step toward encouraging more individuals to become physicians at a cost savings to the students. LECOM received the approval for an accelerated three-year medical school curriculum for certified physician assistants to obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation approved the Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway (APAP). The pathway concept came from the LECOM Master of Science in Medical Education program and was designed by LECOM graduate Mark Kauffman, D.O., and was the first three-year medical degree program designed for certified physician assistants.